Need a truck to tow 26' RV to the Arctic. Help!

johnhoward · Jun 16, 2017

Okay, I need some advice. I have 14K to spend on getting a truck to tow a 26 foot RV for about ten thousand miles this summer on a missionary trip to the Arctic (Far Northern Canada) and back to Texas. I need something I can trust to make the trip and suggestions as to what I can buy used that can do it.

Now my preferred choice would be an 04 to 06 Ram 2500 with the 5.9 Cummins, but I can't find one in my price range with less then 300K+ miles on it. I am looking at maybe 7 to 8 thousand pounds with the RV and all my supplies and equipment. I can find lots of great deals on 1500s with the 4.7l V8 with low miles in my price range, but from my towing research, I would be pushing the towing limits of the truck on such a long trip.

So here is what I need to know.

1. What is the average life of transmissions in Ram trucks (how many miles be for rebuild or replacement)? This will help me know how many miles is too many to look at.

2. Considering my requirements, what Rams, should be taken off my search list.

3. What Ram (Size, Year, Engine, Trans, Rear gear ratio, max mileage) would you buy for this trip if you were me? (Nothing that requires DEF as I will be in areas that may not have this).

I sincerely appreciate your advice. May God Bless you.

silver surfer · Jun 16, 2017

You can probably get by with a newer 1500 Hemi with an 8 speed. Even with a 3.21 rear. I towed a 25' travel trailer 4000 miles in two weeks with no problems.

justin13703 · Jun 17, 2017

Good luck finding a 4th gen with an 8 speed for under 14k.

Around here, you can't find diesels for under 14k either unless they have about 3 million miles on them, are completely rusted out, and have no reverse gear. And even then people still like to ask 20k for them.

With your budget, I would find a 3rd gen 5.7 with the tow package and 3.92 gears. Without a diesel, thats the next best option. And the 3.92 gear ratio is very important for pulling that with a gas truck. Dont try to pull that load with a 4.7. A 3rd gen 5.7 with 3.92s will be the best you will find in that price range.

avantiguy · Jun 17, 2017

johnhoward said:
Okay, I need some advice. I have 14K to spend on getting a truck to tow a 26 foot RV for about ten thousand miles this summer on a missionary trip to the Arctic (Far Northern Canada) and back to Texas. I need something I can trust to make the trip and suggestions as to what I can buy used that can do it.

Now my preferred choice would be an 04 to 06 Ram 2500 with the 5.9 Cummins, but I can't find one in my price range with less then 300K+ miles on it. I am looking at maybe 7 to 8 thousand pounds with the RV and all my supplies and equipment. I can find lots of great deals on 1500s with the 4.7l V8 with low miles in my price range, but from my towing research, I would be pushing the towing limits of the truck on such a long trip.

So here is what I need to know.

1. What is the average life of transmissions in Ram trucks (how many miles be for rebuild or replacement)? This will help me know how many miles is too many to look at.

2. Considering my requirements, what Rams, should be taken off my search list.

3. What Ram (Size, Year, Engine, Trans, Rear gear ratio, max mileage) would you buy for this trip if you were me? (Nothing that requires DEF as I will be in areas that may not have this).

I sincerely appreciate your advice. May God Bless you.

I know this is the Ram Forum, but my son just sold HD2500 Silverado Crew Cab with 8.1 (502) gas engine and Allision trans 4X4 for $15,000 in Michigan with a perfect body and 80,000 miles. It would be perfect for what you want.

My point, go look at that era 2500 series (all Makes) with gas engines and tough trans that were built in the early 2000's.

Use Searchtempest (craigslist) for private and cargurus.com for commercially available units and search a wide area.

I used that truck to tow classic cars on heavy car trailers on several occasions over 1000 miles and it's a set back and relax on cruise at 69 mph ride.

14hemiexpress · Jun 17, 2017

avantiguy said:
I know this is the Ram Forum, but my son just sold HD2500 Silverado Crew Cab with 8.1 (502) gas engine and Allision trans 4X4 for $15,000 in Michigan with a perfect body and 80,000 miles. It would be perfect for what you want.

My point, go look at that era 2500 series (all Makes) with gas engines and tough trans that were built in the early 2000's.

Use Searchtempest (craigslist) for private and cargurus.com for commercially available units and search a wide area.

I used that truck to tow classic cars on heavy car trailers on several occasions over 1000 miles and it's a set back and relax on cruise at 69 mph ride.

I agree with this. Look for a older 2500 gas. Stay away from the 5.4 in the Ford. Get a 6.2 or the 6.8v10 , the gm 6.0 is solid the 5.7 hemi in the 2500 is good also. That's going to be your best bet for that price range. A 2500 would be best and alot less stressful to pull that heavy for that long. A 1500 would do it but i think it won't be as comfortable of a drive.

johnhoward · Jun 17, 2017

avantiguy said:
I know this is the Ram Forum, but my son just sold HD2500 Silverado Crew Cab with 8.1 (502) gas engine and Allision trans 4X4 for $15,000 in Michigan with a perfect body and 80,000 miles. It would be perfect for what you want.

My point, go look at that era 2500 series (all Makes) with gas engines and tough trans that were built in the early 2000's.

Use Searchtempest (craigslist) for private and cargurus.com for commercially available units and search a wide area.

I used that truck to tow classic cars on heavy car trailers on several occasions over 1000 miles and it's a set back and relax on cruise at 69 mph ride.

I have been looking Silverados 2500HD, but they are worth their weight in gold in Texas. Anything in my price range either has half a million miles on them or they are ragged out or wrecked, and they still want 20K for them. 1500s are a dime a dozen, but like the Ram 1500s, the specs I need to pull this load in a 1500 are very specific, and hard to find in a used 1500. They exist, but all the ones on the market for sale right now are not the ones I need. Plus very few ads list rear end gear ratios.

My problem is, I already have a 2007 Silverado 1500, and I just had to pay $2,400 to rebuild the transmission because I pulled a lightweight 19 foot RV to Colorado last year. My truck has the 4L80-E and four professional transmission mechanics have told me in that the 4L80-E is a weak transmission and should not be used for towing long distance. The problem is that GM did not start putting the stronger 6L80, 6 speed transmission, in the 1500s until 2009, and the ones that I have found are outside my range.

justin13703 · Jun 17, 2017

If you get the vin number from a truck you're interested in, you can get a build sheet from dodge for that truck. It will tell you what the gear ratio is.

If you're staying with a dodge 1500, like I said above, a 3rd gen 5.7 with 3.92s will be best in your price range. If you want to be extra safe, you can install a 3500 transmission cooler for about 200 dollars. You could also install a set of air bags in the back end and air them up for the trip.

A 2500 would be a little better, but finding one in good condition in your price range may be difficult.

avantiguy · Jun 17, 2017

johnhoward said:
I have been looking Silverados 2500HD, but they are worth their weight in gold in Texas. Anything in my price range either has half a million miles on them or they are ragged out or wrecked, and they still want 20K for them. 1500s are a dime a dozen, but like the Ram 1500s, the specs I need to pull this load in a 1500 are very specific, and hard to find in a used 1500. They exist, but all the ones on the market for sale right now are not the ones I need. Plus very few ads list rear end gear ratios.

My problem is, I already have a 2007 Silverado 1500, and I just had to pay $2,400 to rebuild the transmission because I pulled a lightweight 19 foot RV to Colorado last year. My truck has the 4L80-E and four professional transmission mechanics have told me in that the 4L80-E is a weak transmission and should not be used for towing long distance. The problem is that GM did not start putting the stronger 6L80, 6 speed transmission, in the 1500s until 2009, and the ones that I have found are outside my range.

From searchtempest.

diesel

https://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/cto/6181236241.html

gas 8.1

https://austin.craigslist.org/cto/6170621582.html

Keep searching searchtempest in texas and surrounding states, they're there. I'm not trying to sell you on a Chevy but these came up easily. Try Dodge, Ram or any other brand you desire.

RonJon '06 · Jun 23, 2017

I've towed a 26', 7'000 lb trailer with my '06 Ram 2500, 5.7 Hemi with 3.73 gears and it did OK on the flat stretches but struggled on the hills. We also tow a 9,000 lb camper with our '11 Suburban 6.0 L with the 6 spd Allison and it also does OK. Last year I sold my Dad's '03 Ford F350 7.3L Powerstroke and that thing was a monster. No problem towing 12,000-15'000 lbs. We sold it for $8,500 with 140 K miles and a little rust. The 7.3L was available from 1995-2003 so maybe you can find one of those in your price range.

KIDRR · Jul 29, 2017

I got my 04 1500 5.7 with 3.92 gears and only 32k original miles for $13k. No rust/dents/problems.

Good deals are out there, you just have to be diligent about looking. I looked for about 2-3 months.

Although, I know anyone with an 03-07 2500 5.9 knows they have gold and not likely to give anyone a deal.

Need a truck to tow 26' RV to the Arctic. Help!

johnhoward

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silver surfer

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justin13703

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avantiguy

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14hemiexpress

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johnhoward

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justin13703

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avantiguy

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RonJon '06

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KIDRR

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